Botswana's Maun International Arts Festival takes off

Now in its ninth edition, the annual event will see artists from Bulgaria, South Africa, Zimbabwe, the U.S., Hungary, Namibia, Lesotho, Zambia, Uganda and Ghana, sharing the same stage.

Among the musicians who are expected to perform at the event is Zimbabwe’s Afro-fusion star Willis Wataffi.

According to the festival organisers, the 2016 event starts with a poetry competition from local schools followed by the grand opening of the festival later in the evening. In addition, there will be a street jam session in town, which is open to the general public. Participants will taste the local food and experience the traditions through song, dance and attire.

Having started as a Spoken Word Poetry festival, MIAF has grown to embrace other forms of arts such as visual arts, music, dance, literature. Founded in 2008, this year's edition will be celebrated under the theme “50 More Years” in line with Botswana’s celebrations of its 50th independence celebrated every year on 30 September.

Organized and run by a collection of artists based in Maun, MIAF is an event that was designed to celebrate the cultures and traditions of the Botswana people.

For more information, visit the MIAF Facebook page here.